As far as Lyle Lovett is concerned, all artistic expression is about conveying emotion.

There will be plenty of emotion on display when Lovett takes the stage as the headliner at the Ridgefield Playhouse's annual summer gala on Monday, July 8. The gala will start at 6 p.m. and Lovett and his band, the Acoustic Group, will perform at 8. In addition to the performance, the gala will also feature dinner, an open bar, a silent and live auction, and a performance by local music duo Carly & Eliza.

Lovett is touring in support of his 2012 album, "Release Me," which has received critical acclaim. A singer, composer and actor, Lovett has released 14 albums and won several Grammy awards. The Texas-based musician fuses elements of country, swing, jazz, folk, gospel and blues with an intentional disregard for musical barriers. His hits include "Cowboy Man," "Give Back My Heart" and "That's Right (You're Not from Texas)."

As an actor he's worked with director Robert Altman in "The Player" and "Short Cuts," and has had roles in other films, including a cameo in "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story." We recently spoke with him about his acoustic shows, songwriting and the similarities between playing music and acting.

Q: What inspired "Release Me" and your acoustic show?

A: The bands that I put together and the people that I work with start because I meet people that I like and I enjoy spending time with and playing with. So it ended up being a personal connection that sort of put all this together.

Q: Do you prefer the acoustic shows?

A: I enjoy performing in a range of instrumentations. From playing solo, occasionally, to this smallish band with five people, to the large band. Each configuration is satisfying. The difference among them all makes it interesting.

Q: What is your songwriting process like?

A: It's hard to explain. It's different every time. I just try to think of stuff that's worth demanding three or four minutes of somebody's time.

Q: Do you set aside time each day to write?

A: I still play my guitar for fun, you know, because I enjoy playing. And usually my ideas kind of present themselves as I play along on the guitar.

Q: Do you find any similarities between acting and being a musician?

A: I guess the point of any kind of expression is to convey an emotion. So there might be some similarity in the result and in the expression itself. However, on the occasions I do act I'm doing someone else's material.

Q: What music do you listen to? What are some of your inspirations?

A: All of my life I've listened to all kinds of music. I've never identified more strongly with one form of music over another. To me a good song was something to appreciate no matter what style.

Q: So you've always had a very open mind when it comes to music?

A: Yes, I think it's maybe because of my parents; they listened to all kinds of music.

Q: Do you have a favorite role as an actor?

A: I've enjoyed every acting experience. I don't act that often and I really don't pursue that work like an actor does. You never know when somebody will think of me for a part. It really was because Robert Altman asked me to be in his film, "The Player," that I did acting work. (Altman) is just a wonderful character and is so well known for thinking kind of outside the box -- it was not unusual for him to call someone who wasn't an actor to act in his movies. So the fact that he had faith in me that I'd be able to do it was great, and it was great getting to know him and getting to spend time with him on the films, and getting to do music for one of his films. He's been a great teacher in my life; he's a great artist and a great inspiration.